Friday, January 29, 2010

Tools Not Toys



Hard to believe we are half way through The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe . As we read chapter ten, we sat facing the wonderful scene in our room of Father Christmas and his sleigh. He makes a surprise visit to Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Lucy, Susan, and Peter as they are trudging through the snow on the way to find Edmund. They sleep in a dirt cave for the night only to be awakened by the sound of a sleigh and bells. Fear grips their hearts as they imagine the White Witch to be driving the sleigh. To their complete surprise, Father Christmas arrives bearing tools, not toys for each of them. He advises them that the time is near to use the tools and gives them a charge to "Bear them well". For Peter it is a sword and shield. Susan is handed a bow, quiver full of arrows, and a little ivory horn. Lucy is given a glass container filled with a cordial made of the juice of the fire-flowers as well as a dagger to defend herself. Even Mr. and Mrs. Beaver are blessed with gifts. For Mrs. Beaver it is a new sewing machine. Mr. Beaver is elated to receive promise of a completed and repaired dam. It is indeed a solemn occasion until Father Christmas produces a tray with a piping hot pot of tea and all the trimmings. Hurriedly they drink the tea and prepare to be off on their journey again.
Kelsey, Hannah, and Mason enjoy taking on the roles of Lucy,Susan, and Peter as they receive their tools and charge to use them wisely!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

A Visit By A Witch and A Shield Of Our Own





On Wednesday, we had a visit from the White Witch herself!!! True to the text, she had a gilded grown and wand, red lips, skin that was incredibly white, and a look that was cold and stern. Her commanding voice demanded that we bow in submission to her, Queen of Narnia! She took Hannah into her spell with promises of warmth, sweets. Her majesty also informed us that we were welcomed to visit her ice castle. Her prophecy of doom for poor Mr. Tumnus left us shuddering. Before she departed, a magical dusting of glittery snow fell across our room.




What talent parents we have! Jeff and Sema Brazell created a beautiful shield EXACTLY like the one Peter carries into battle in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Jessica proudly displays her parents' handiwork



Friday, January 8, 2010

Narnia is here!


Cair Paraval





The Wardrobe



Beaver's Den



Armor for the future battle


Aslan



January is always Narnia time in fourth grade at OCS. It is definitely fun to observe the faces on the students as they return the first day after Christmas break. The sparkle in their eyes and the smiles on their faces tell me they are ready to "step into the Narnia journey. We begin our unit by learning about WWII since this is the initial setting for the opening of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Next we focus C.S. Lewis and God's call on his life to write masterful novels for adults and children. Finally, on the third day, we begin with chapter one. Bailey is seeing inside the wardrobe for the first time.


Christian and Mason can feel the cold of the frozen waterfall